It's good to have one ahead of time to read through, but there are so many, that you really need to have the book with you in the parks. I got mine at Mouse Gear in Epcot. I would try to read through it before each country, but still ended up having to pull it back out and still couldn't find some of the Mickeys (Never did find the hidden Mickey in the electric train / village display)!! GREAT book though!!